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Business 46 May | 2022 But when you are looking to hire employees, accreditations can be a sign that you are "the real deal," possibly making your business a more attractive career opportunity and giving you an edge in procuring the best talent. In addition, having employees who respect your dedication to the industry can help propagate their desire to also become "the real deal," which can make your business even more professional. While there are always going to be consumers who purchase fl owers from other vendors, repeat customers looking for quality products will always look for a professional fl orist. Having accredited or fl oral-educated staff sure doesn't hurt. Social Networking: Taking part in continuing education classes—in person or online—aff ords you opportunities to widen your connections within and outside of the fl ower industry. It could be with your fellow classmates or even the teacher. You never know when someone you meet in these ways will recommend you to someone he or she knows who wants what you provide. Other advantages of investing in and challenging oneself by learning new things include the ability to better one's lifestyle, gain confi dence, and secure your future or make your mark in the industry. We are aware that many businesses, associations and institutions off er in- person education at their facilities or will travel to yours to provide the same. However, this article looks only at those that provide online education classes and/or webinars focusing on fl oral design and/or business management. On these pages is an alphabetical list of places you can go online to gain further knowledge and accreditation—on state, national and international levels. With many of these, it behooves you to visit the sites regularly to ensure you remain up to date on new off erings. American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) AIFD off ers multiple online fl oral design and business management education opportunities. First, the Institute off ers fi ve online fl oral design courses based on its book, e AIFD Guide to Floral Design: Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. Each course is off ered fi ve times throughout the year and is designed to assist those preparing to take AIFD's "Professional Floral Design Evaluation (PFDE)" as well as those just looking for general design skill improvement. continuing education classes—in person or online—aff ords you opportunities to widen your connections within and outside of the fl ower industry. It could be with your fellow classmates or even the teacher. You never know when someone you meet in these ways will recommend you to someone he or she knows who wants what you provide. things include the ability to better one's lifestyle, gain confi dence, and secure your future or make your mark in the industry. will travel to yours to provide the same. and/or webinars focusing on fl oral design On these knowledge and accreditation—on state, the sites regularly to ensure you remain May | 2022 continuing education classes—in person or online—aff ords you opportunities to widen your connections within and outside of the fl ower industry. It could be with your fellow or she knows who wants what you provide. aifd.org/online-education/ course-descriptions aifd.org/online-education/ online-class-schedule In addition, through a variety of web page links to online articles and videos, AIFD's new " e Resource Center" provides access to information to educate and strengthen the fl oral industry. " e Resource Center" enables both AIFD members and nonmembers to broaden their knowledge and strengthen the skills necessary to improve their craft and achieve their professional goals. Topics include

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